Thesaurus results for MILIEU

Q: How is the word 'milieu' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background , environment , mise-en-scène , and setting . While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons. // an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Q: Where would 'background' be a reasonable alternative to 'milieu'?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development. // the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

Q: When is it sensible to use 'environment' instead of 'milieu'?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development. // the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

Q: In what contexts can 'mise-en-scène' take the place of 'milieu'?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect. // a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Q: When can 'setting' be used instead of 'milieu'?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms. // a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

milieu

noun

mēl-ˈyü

Definition of milieu next

as in environment

the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of milieu As a New Yorker herself, Bellizzi treasured envisioning the cramped Lower East Side milieu that opens the film. —

Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025 The creative milieu that was strengthened by this development and saw its symbolic status rise thanks to the neoliberal-capitalist gentrification and location economy during this period had come under considerable economic stress. —

Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 Certain actors do manage to interrupt the recycled milieu with standout performances, particularly Ryder, Hawke, Cara Buono (as Wheeler matriarch Karen, whose aloof persona finally gets punctured), and Priah Ferguson (playing Lucas’s suddenly-a-teenager younger sister, Erica). —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 The old model referenced by Mahmood is a creature of Europe’s post-war milieu. —

Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for milieu

Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu

Noun

The analysis highlights how firms that successfully integrate technology with workforce capabilities stand to gain a competitive edge, especially in complex cross-border environments.

— Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby exchanged views on the regional security environment with Vice-Minister for Foreign Affair Takehiro Funakoshi on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

— Alastair Gale, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026